How to Create a QR Code in Excel

You have a spreadsheet with 200 URLs, product codes, or contact details, and you need a QR code for each one. Manually generating them one by one would take hours. Here's how to create QR codes directly from Excel data.

Method 1: IMAGE Function with Google Charts API

Excel's IMAGE function (available in Microsoft 365) can generate QR codes using Google's Chart API:

=IMAGE("https://chart.googleapis.com/chart?chs=200x200&cht=qr&chl=" & ENCODEURL(A1))

Where A1 contains your URL or text. This creates a QR code image in the cell.

Pros: No add-in needed, works with any data in your spreadsheet, free.

Cons: Requires internet connection, depends on Google's API availability, images are embedded (not downloadable as files), limited customization (black and white only), and Google Charts API is officially deprecated (still works but may stop).

Method 2: Excel Add-ins

Several Excel add-ins generate QR codes from cell data. Search "QR code" in the Office Add-ins store (Insert → Get Add-ins). Popular options include QR4Office and QR Code Generator.

Install the add-in, select a cell with your data, and click generate. The QR appears in or next to the cell. Most add-ins support batch generation for multiple rows.

Pros: Integrated into Excel, some offer customization, batch generation.

Cons: Quality varies between add-ins, some require subscriptions for advanced features, may not export high-resolution images.

Method 3: VBA Macro with Google Charts

For more control, a VBA macro can loop through your data and generate QR codes:

Sub GenerateQRCodes()
    Dim cell As Range
    For Each cell In Selection
        Dim url As String
        url = "https://chart.googleapis.com/chart?chs=200x200&cht=qr&chl=" & cell.Value
        ' Insert image at cell location
        ActiveSheet.Pictures.Insert(url).Select
        Selection.Top = cell.Top
        Selection.Left = cell.Offset(0, 1).Left
    Next cell
End Sub

This places QR images next to each selected cell. Customize the size by changing 200x200.

Pros: Batch processing, programmable, customizable placement.

Cons: Requires VBA knowledge, depends on external API, images are linked (not embedded).

Method 4: Generate Outside Excel, Use Inside Excel

The most reliable approach for high-quality QR codes:

1. Export your URLs from Excel as a CSV
2. Use a bulk QR generator to create QR images from the CSV (see our bulk QR codes guide)
3. Import the generated QR images back into your Excel or use them in your print layouts

This gives you full control over QR styling, resolution, and format.

Method 5: Google Sheets Alternative

If you're flexible on the tool, Google Sheets with the IMAGE function works similarly:

=IMAGE("https://api.qrserver.com/v1/create-qr-code/?size=200x200&data=" & ENCODEURL(A1))

This uses the free QR Server API, which is actively maintained.

Which Method to Choose

Quick and simple (1-10 QR codes): Method 1 (IMAGE function) or Method 2 (add-in).

Batch generation (10-100): Method 3 (VBA) or Method 2 (add-in with batch support).

High quality for print (any volume): Method 4 (external generator + import). This is the only method that gives you SVG output and full customization.

Tips

ENCODEURL is critical. URLs with special characters (spaces, &, =) must be encoded. The ENCODEURL function handles this.

Image resolution matters. The chs=200x200 parameter controls the QR size in pixels. For print use, increase to 500x500 or higher.

Test the QR codes. Generate a few, scan them, confirm they work before bulk-generating hundreds.

Create QR Codes for Your Spreadsheet Data

For high-quality, customizable QR codes from your Excel data, generate them at qree.app and download in SVG for perfect print quality.

Create your QR codes free →